Reusable totebag bracelet

ABSTRACT

A reusable totebag bracelet comprising a flexible totebag having a bottom portion and a top portion providing access to the bottom portion, a flexible outer sleeve with a closed end and an opposite open end, the flexible totebag enveloped within the flexible outer sleeve through the open end of the flexible outer sleeve and the bottom portion of the flexible totebag connected to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end, and the flexible outer sleeve is configured to transition longitudinally between a first position that envelopes a majority of the flexible totebag and a second position that allows the totebag to be deployed.

FIELD

The present application is related generally to a totebag and more particularly to a reusable totebag bracelet that may be worn on a person's wrist for storage and portability when not deployed.

BACKGROUND

Reusable bags are becoming more popular and desirable to be used with carrying groceries or other such items instead of disposable bags such as plastic or paper bags. The reduction in use of disposable bags is desired both in terms of costs in manufacturing as well as cost to the environment based on continuous use of finite resources. What is desired is a reusable totebag that can be conveniently worn by a user on their wrist in a low-profile and unobtrusive manner while providing ease of access and use of the reusable totebag when desired.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a reusable totebag bracelet comprises a flexible totebag having a bottom portion defining a containment portion and a top portion defining an opening providing access to the containment portion, a flexible outer sleeve with a closed end and an opposite open end, the flexible totebag enveloped within the flexible outer sleeve through the open end of the flexible outer sleeve and the bottom portion of the flexible totebag attached to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end, and the flexible outer sleeve configured to transition longitudinally relative to the flexible totebag between a first position where the flexible outer sleeve is fully expanded and envelopes a majority of the flexible totebag and a second position where the flexible outer sleeve is compressed near the closed end portion and the flexible totebag is fully exposed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of handles are attached to a periphery of the opening of the flexible totebag. The flexible outer sleeve has a cylindrical shape. The flexible outer sleeve is constructed with a first material and the flexible totebag is constructed with a second material. In an exemplary embodiment of the reusable totebag bracelet, the flexible outer sleeve is water repellent.

In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener strap is attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end. A first connector is attached to the fastener strap, a second connector is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve, and a fastening loop is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end. The fastener strap is configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fastener strap is made of an elastic material. The first connector and the second connector are hook and loop connectors. The opening of the flexible totebag includes a means of securing the opening. The bottom portion of the flexible totebag is permanently connected to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end. The bottom portion of the flexible totebag is removably connected to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end.

In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener strap is attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end, a first connector is attached to the fastener strap, a second connector is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve, and a fastening loop is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end. The fastener strap is configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first connector is attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end, a second connector is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve, and a fastening loop is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end. The fastener strap is configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first connector is attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end, a second connector is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve, and a fastening loop is attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end. The fastener strap is configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully deployed according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully enveloped with the flexible outer sleeve according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag configured as a bracelet according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag secured on a person's wrist according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully deployed according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, a reusable totebag bracelet according to some embodiments is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reusable totebag bracelet 100 is comprised of a flexible totebag 102 enveloped within a flexible outer sleeve 104. The outer sleeve 104 may be collapsed or expanded relative to the totebag 102 thereby enveloping more or less of the totebag 102 within the outer sleeve.

In FIG. 2, a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully deployed according to some embodiments is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible outer sleeve 204 of the reusable totebag bracelet 200 has been sufficiently collapsed relative to the flexible totebag 202 as to allow totebag 202 to the fully deployed. The totebag 202 includes at least a bottom portion 206 and a top portion 204. The bottom portion 204 defines a container portion 212 in which articles to be carried within the totebag 202 are placed. The upper portion 204 defines an opening 210 that provides access to the container portion 212 within the totebag 202. The top portion 204 also includes a pair of handles 208, each handle attached to opposite ends of the opening 210.

The opening 210 may include a means of securing the opening as to protect the contents within the container portion 212 of the totebag 202 from the outside environment.

The totebag 202 may be made of any light and flexible material known to one ordinary skill in the art including plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, or any practical microfiber type material, or the like. Moreover, the light and flexible material comprising the totebag 202 may be made of a single layer of material or from a combination of multiple layers of one or more materials.

Returning to FIG. 2, the totebag 202 is attached to the outer sleeve 204 at any point along the bottom portion 204 of the totebag 202. This may be either a permanent attachment or a removable attachment. A removable attachment allows for a variety of different types and sizes of totebag to be attached to and enveloped within the same outer sleeve.

In FIG. 3, a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully enveloped with the flexible outer sleeve according to some embodiments is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer sleeve includes a fastening strap 312 that is attached at one end to the closed end 304 of the outer sleeve 302. The fastening strap 312 is preferably made of an elastic material that allows for the reusable totebag bracelet to be worn comfortably on wrists of different sizes and shapes.

A first connector 310 is attached to the other end of the fastening strap 312 and a cooperating second connector 308 is attached to the outer surface of the outer sleeve 302 near a longitude midpoint of the outer sleeve 302. The first and second connectors 310 and 308 may be any low-profile type of connectors known to one of ordinary skill in the art including hook and loop fasteners, an example of which is Velcro® Brand fastener closure products made by the Velcro Companies.

A fastening loop 314 is attached to the outer surface of the outer sleeve 302 near the open end 306 of the outer sleeve 302, the fastening loop 314 defining an opening through which the fastening strap 312 and first connector 310 are passed to form a bracelet. The fastening loop 314 may be made from the same material as the outer sleeve or as a different material. The fastening loop 314 may also include an inner core covered by the same material as the outer sleeve, the inner core defining and maintaining an opening through which the fastening strap 312 and first connector 310 are passed.

As with the totebag 102, the outer sleeve 303 may be made of any light and flexible material known to one ordinary skill in the art including plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene, any practical microfiber type material, or the like. Moreover, the light and flexible material comprising the outer sleeve 302 may be made of a single layer of material or from a combination of multiple layers of one or more materials. Further, the material comprising the outer sleeve 302 may be constructed from a water repellent material or be treated with a water repellent treatment.

In another embodiment, the outer sleeve 302 is comprised of materials that provide greater protection from the surrounding environment than the materials comprising the totebag 102. As a result, the outer sleeve 302 might purposely be heavier and less flexible than the totebag 102 to which it is connected and which it envelopes.

In FIG. 4, a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag configured as a bracelet according to some embodiments is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 4, with the totebag 102 fully enveloped within the outer sleeve 302, the first connector 310 and the fastening strap 312 are passed through the opening of the fastening loop 314. Once the first connector 310 and the fastening strap 312 have been passed through the opening of the fastening loop 314, a portion of the outer sleeve 312 starting at the closed end 304 is also pulled through the opening. The first connector 310 is then secured to the second connector 308 and a bracelet is formed. Once the bracelet is formed, the reusable totebag bracelet of the present invention may be secured on a person's wrist for storage and portability.

In FIG. 5, a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag secured on a person's wrist according to some embodiments is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the flexible totebag is configured as a bracelet 501 around a person's wrist 502 and is worn as such until the totebag is to be deployed.

In FIG. 6, a reusable totebag bracelet according to some embodiments is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the reusable totebag bracelet 100 is comprised of a flexible totebag 102 enveloped within a flexible outer sleeve 104, similar to FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the location of fastening strap 312 and fastening loop 314 are reversed as compared to the respective locations shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, fastening strap 312 is attached to the outer surface near the open end 306 of the outer sleeve 302, and the fastening loop 314 is attached to the closed end 304 of the outer sleeve 302.

In FIG. 7, a reusable totebag bracelet with the flexible totebag fully deployed according to some embodiments is illustrated. In this embodiment, the location of fastening strap 312 and fastening loop 314 are reversed as compared to the respective locations shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, fastening strap 312 is attached to the outer surface near the open end 306 of the outer sleeve 302, and the fastening loop 314 is attached to the closed end 304 of the outer sleeve 302.

The formation of a bracelet for the reusable totebag bracelets as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the same configuration as shown and described above with respect to FIG. 4 in the interaction between the fastening strap 312 and the fastening loop 314 and the first connector 310 and second connector 308. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A reusable totebag bracelet, comprising: a flexible totebag having a bottom portion defining a containment portion and a top portion defining an opening providing access to the containment portion; a flexible outer sleeve with a closed end and an opposite open end; the flexible totebag configured to be enveloped within the flexible outer sleeve through the open end of the flexible outer sleeve and the bottom portion of the flexible totebag connected to an inner surface of the closed end of the flexible outer sleeve; and the flexible outer sleeve configured to transition longitudinally relative to the flexible totebag between a first position where the flexible outer sleeve is fully expanded and envelopes a majority of the flexible totebag and a second position where the flexible outer sleeve is compressed near the closed end portion and the flexible totebag is fully exposed.
 2. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of handles attached to a periphery of the opening of the flexible totebag.
 3. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 wherein the flexible outer sleeve has a cylindrical shape.
 4. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 wherein the flexible outer sleeve is constructed with a first material and the flexible totebag is constructed with a second material.
 5. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1, wherein the flexible outer sleeve is water repellent.
 6. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 further comprising a fastener strap attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end; a first connector attached to the fastener strap; a second connector attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve; and a fastening loop attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end, the fastener strap configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.
 7. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 6 wherein the fastener strap is made of an elastic material.
 8. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 6 wherein the first connector and the second connector are hook and loop connectors.
 9. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 wherein the opening of the flexible totebag includes a means of securing the opening.
 10. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the flexible totebag is permanently connected to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end.
 11. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of the flexible totebag is removably connected to an inner surface of the flexible outer sleeve at the closed end.
 12. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 further comprising: a fastener strap attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end; a first connector attached to the fastener strap; a second connector attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve; and a fastening loop attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end, the fastener strap configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.
 13. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 12 wherein the fastener strap is made of an elastic material.
 14. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 12 wherein the first connector and the second connector are hook and loop connectors.
 15. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 further comprising: a first connector attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end; a second connector attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve; and a fastening loop attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end, the fastener strap configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet.
 16. The reusable totebag bracelet of claim 1 further comprising: a first connector attached to an outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the open end; a second connector attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve near a longitudinal midpoint of the flexible outer sleeve; and a fastening loop attached to the outer surface of the flexible outer sleeve proximate the closed end, the fastener strap configured to pass through the fastener loop and the first connector is configured to cooperatively engage with the second connector to form a bracelet. 